Ethio to Djibouti Railway Line Progresses

The Ethiopian Railway Corporation has expressed confidence that the Ethio to Djibouti railway line will be complete on the target date of 2015. The railway will connect Addis Ababa with the Red Sea port of Doraleh, allowing good freight transport links with the rest of the world by sea.

Two Chinese companies are building three segments of the new railway between the two countries. The China Railway Engineering Corporation is building a 317 km section from Sebeta to Meiso. The two other sections, 339 km from Meiso to Dawale and then to Doraleh are being built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

It is being built as part of Ethiopia’s Growth and Transport Plan, which is now 20% complete. The railway link will cut journey times from Addis to Doraleh in half by comparison to current journey times. The line is part of a super project to built over 2000 km of light and freight railway throughout Ethiopia, with the intent of boosting its economy by fostering trade.

The Ethio to Djibouti line is part of a planned trans African railway line, linking Libreville in Gabon to Doraleh. It will improve relations between all countries involved through the trade corridor.